The Long Beach Unified School District has concluded an internal investigation resulting in significant sanctions for the Long Beach Poly High School football program. The investigation, which focused on violations of CIF rule 202, found that seven athletes failed to submit accurate transfer paperwork. As a consequence, penalties were imposed on three football coaches, including the removal of head coach Justin Utupo.
The district announced the findings on September 20, 2023, detailing that seven athletes are now ineligible for two years due to their involvement in the violations. In a media release, the district confirmed that Poly’s walk-on head coach has been dismissed and will not be permitted to coach within the district. One assistant coach, who resigned, has also been barred from coaching, while another assistant has been relieved from all duties and reassigned to a campus staff assistant role.
The investigation concluded that “three coaches engaged in unethical conduct inconsistent with CIF eligibility rules.” Utupo, who had recently joined the Long Beach Poly program from Lakewood High School, stated he was unaware of the district’s announcement when he resigned after meeting with his players. Long Beach Poly has a storied history, having won 20 CIF titles, but following a 5-5 season, the team has been excluded from the Southern Section playoffs.
Looking ahead, the district plans to conduct a comprehensive review of all athletic programs to ensure that “protocols, training, and expectations are clearly understood and consistently applied.” This proactive measure aims to prevent future violations and maintain the integrity of the district’s athletic programs.
The Long Beach Unified School District is also awaiting any additional sanctions from the Southern Section in response to these violations. The seven athletes involved are now listed in the Southern Section transfer portal as having been denied eligibility for two years under bylaw 202.
As these developments unfold, the district emphasizes its commitment to upholding ethical standards and compliance within its athletic programs. The implications of this investigation extend beyond just the football program, as it raises important questions about accountability and the adherence to transfer regulations across all sports in the district.
